How Indiana's delegation voted on coronavirus relief
How Indiana's delegation voted on coronavirus relief
Republican Reps. Jim Banks and Trey Hollingsworth voted against the bill.
Indiana’s congressional delegation largely supported the just-passed $900 billion year-end coronavirus relief and $1.4 trillion funding bill, with only two Republicans voting no.
The sprawling, 5,593 page-bill passed the House by a 359-53 vote and passed the Senate by a 92-6 vote.
Among other provisions, the $900 billion COVID-19 stimulus package features $600 stimulus checks to adults and dependents and an extension of the $300-a-week boosted unemployment insurance through March 14, along with $325 billion for small business relief, including $284 billion for Paycheck Protection Program. The coronavirus relief section also draws on U.S. Sen. Todd Young’s RESTART Act, giving businesses more flexibility to demonstrate revenue decline.
Only U.S. Reps. Jim Banks and Trey Hollingsworth voted against the bill.
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 14: U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) speaks to a member of the press as he leaves after a vote at the U.S. Capitol May 14, 2020 in Washington, DC. The Senate is scheduled to vote on passage of H.R.6172, the USA Freedom Reauthorization Act (FISA) today. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Here’s what delegation members—and other key Indiana stakeholders—said about H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021:
U.S. Sen Todd Young:
“Struggling Hoosier businesses, communities, frontline workers, and families have waited too long for this critically needed coronavirus relief package. While I wish we had reached agreement months ago, I’m glad this aid will finally be delivered to the American people, particularly to ensure the safe and efficient distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines that will be essential for overcoming this pandemic,” said Senator Young. “This package provides assistance to essential workers, small businesses, and unemployed Americans, and provides additional resources for testing and vaccinations. It also funds the federal government, one of Congress’ main responsibilities, and contains several of my priorities to bolster Indiana’s health and economic security.”
U.S. Sen. Mike Braun:
“As a Main Street entrepreneur, I am proud to support additional funding that will help small business owners and working class Hoosiers survive in this final battle against the pandemic. The last week of eleventh hour negotiations and short-term spending bills reinforces what Hoosiers already know: Washington is broken. Main Street businesses and hard-working Hoosiers have been in desperate need of relief from Washington for months while D.C. politicians have been holding targeted relief hostage as they bicker over favors for special interests and how to spend more money we don’t have.”
“Apparently we have to pass the Coronabus before we know what’s in it.”
“Today’s $2.3 trillion funding bill—introduced after 3 previous stop-gap funding bills in 10 days and brought to the Floor after giving representatives only 6 hours to read almost 6,000 pages—is another example of Washington’s willingness to spend our money without considering our priorities. Hard-working Americans who are struggling deserve thoughtful solutions, not last-minute packages that inflate our nation’s growing $27 trillion-dollar debt. We must always be thoughtful stewards of taxpayer’s money, especially in the middle of a pandemic where thousands of Americans are out of work.”
Indiana Democratic Party:
“Congressmen Jim Banks and Trey Hollingsworth today ignored the pleas by Governor Eric Holcomb, Democrats, and Hoosier families to cut the rhetoric and pass legislation that will help Indiana survive what is hopefully the remaining days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The congressmen instead opted out and voted against the relief package, and had they gotten their way, more families would’ve become homeless, more people would've been forced to go hungry, and many more Hoosier lives would’ve been lost. This vote wasn’t rocket science; it was a vote for patriotism during what is truly the worst of times. Congressmen Banks and Hollingsworth failed at this simple, patriotic duty.”
Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association Statement on Federal Pandemic Relief Bill
“From the day Indiana restaurants and hotels were affected by the pandemic, the Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association has worked with the National Restaurant Association and the American Hotel and Lodging Association to press Congress and the Trump Administration for both long-term and short-term economic support,” Patrick Tamm, CEO/President of InRLA said. “This bill will help Indiana restaurants and hotels with much-needed capital that will allow many to make it through the next couple of months and create more time for us to work with Congress to create the additional programs to save our beloved community restaurants and hotels.”
Good Tuesday morning, and welcome back to IMPORTANTVILLE.
WHERE’S VEEP? He heads to West Palm Beach, Florida, for Turning Point USA's Student Action Summit at 11:25 a.m.
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That’s all for today. Thanks for reading.
